Plans to launch a Birmingham school for struggling pupils have been dealt a blow after councillors claimed it was on too busy a road.
The East Birmingham Network, a group of 12 city schools, wanted to build the new school on a derelict former Saab car showroom site in Eachelhurst Road, in Pype Hayes,
It was to take up to 90 teenage pupils who are not doing well in mainstream schools but the Network stressed it would not be a unit for excluded children.
READ MORE: {}
The council's planning committee rejected the proposal after deciding the site, on a busy 40mph dual carriageway, was too dangerous.
Local councillor Lynda Clinton (Lab Tyburn) told them: "I have seen first hand the devastation caused by school age children being killed or seriously injured on our roads. This is an unsafe site for any school."
More than 350 residents signed a petition objecting to the school.
Network spokeswoman Marie Rooney said they had secured an agreement to lower the speed limit outside the school "to make it safe for locals and pupils".
She urged the committee: "Support this proposal and create better outcomes for children in this part of Birmingham."
Most Read
The committee however thought the road too dangerous and was also not convinced by the uninspiring block design of the building.
Committee member Martin Straker-Welds (Lab Moseley and Kings Heath) said: "I support the provision but I am very worried about the issue of safety."
His colleague Coun Bob Beauchamp (Con Erdington) said: "It also the most appalling design I have seen in a long time."
The Network opened a similar school at the Swan Centre in Yardley two years ago but at the time there was controversy as the playing field was the other side of the busy Church Road.
It was rejected by the committee
Coun John Clancy (Lab Quinton) said: "The applicant has form coming up with planning applications in places this committee regards as unsuitable."